Chops (juggling)

Chops (juggling)

Chops is a 3-ball (or club) juggling pattern based on the cascade but involving a semicircular carry performed with either one or both hands (Single Chops/Double Chops). Chops can be performed continuously, by one or both hands, or in single instances.

The distinctive carry occurs at the moment of catch; rather than returning the ball into the cascade pattern the juggler carries the ball in his/her hand in a downward-pointing semicircle over the ball just thrown by the other hand, in the case of Single Chops, or over the other hand, in the case of Double Chops. At the end of the semicircular movement the carried ball is tossed virtually straight up to be caught by the nearby other hand. The hand used to carry then quickly returns to its original position to catch the ball that was thrown by the other hand and in mid-air throughout this whole process.

This pattern is of medium difficulty since very fast and controlled arm movements are necessary. Though with practice, the pattern can actually be performed in a slow-looking motion: the produced feeling is somehow casual and relaxed as opposed to a sportive interpretation.